20150307

Astronomy quiz question: telescope funding

Based on being able to detect its wavelength, and cost of location, which telescope should be funded?
(A) An ultraviolet detector in space (above 500,000' altitude).
(B) A radio telescope on an airplane (45,000' altitude).
(C) An x ray detector on a remote ocean platform (30' elevation).
(D) A near-infrared telescope in the Mojave desert (5,000' elevation).

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (D)

X-rays, ultraviolet, and near-infrared cannot be detected at sea level (the bottom edge of the graph), due to absorption of these wavelengths by the atmosphere. A near-infrared telescope at a high elevation receives about as signal at it would in space, but for much less cost. A radio telescope would work on an airplane, but would work just as well on the ground for much less cost. An ultraviolet telescope would work in space, but would work just as well on an airplane for much less cost. So while the ultraviolet telescope in space, the radio telescope on an airplane, and the near-infrared telescope at a high elevation would all be able to detect their wavelengths, the near-infrared telescope at a high elevation is the best choice that should be funded.